Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambayev

BISHKEK, July 6. /TASS/. The member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) must pay special attention to developments in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambayev has told TASS.

According to Atambayev, Afghanistan’s role in the system of regional security is "unquestionable." "The processes taking place around this country are playing a key role in the geopolitical system of international relations, and the developments in the country have a direct impact on security and geopolitical balance of power in the region," Atambayev said. "We are interested in the peaceful and stable Afghanistan and welcome its government’s efforts aimed at carrying out democratic reforms and the implementation of the country’s national development plan."

Atambayev added that he considered the involvement of the Afghan side in the SCO’s activities to be a positive factor. "Afghanistan has had a SCO observer status since 2012, but even before it formally acquired this status it took part in the sessions as a guest and later as a dialogue partner," he said. "The direct presence of the Afghan side at the talks gives us an opportunity to exchange views and discuss the whole range of security issues and also measures to combat the threats emanating from Afghanistan at the negotiating table.".